As they typically do, Golden State blew the game open in the third, going on a 17-2 run, outscoring the Hawks by nine in the period to take an 82-76 lead into the fourth. They stretched the lead ot as many as 15 points, but Atlanta refused to go away, cutting the lead to just five in crunchtime.

With the Hawks in striking distance, Durant iced the game with a fadeaway jumper with 42.8 seconds left, burying a pair of free throws shortly after.

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In Curry and Green's absence Quinn Cook and Jonas Jerebko started the game, with Cook recording 18 points, six assists and four rebounds, while Jerebko had a 14-point, 13-rebound double-double.

Despite the loss, the Hawks will take plenty of positives from the game as they hung with the Warriors despite Trae Young's off shooting night. The rookie scored just 5 points on 2-of-12 shooting, he did however finish with nine assists and five rebounds.

Taurean Prince led the way with 22 points for the Hawks, with the second unit stepping up to combine for 47 points, with DeAndre' Bembry scoring 13 points, Vince Carter 11 and Jeremy Lin 10.

Clarkson came off the bench to lead the Cavs in scoring with 24 points on a red-hot 9-of-15 shooting, while Thompson had 11 points, five assists and tied his career high with 21 rebounds. Cleveland outrebounded the Hornets 60-37 on the night.

In their fresh City Edition jerseys, the Cavs raced out of the gates to an early double-digit lead in the first quarter and kept in front for the rest of the game, blowing the lead out to as many as 25 points in the fourth quarter. Charlotte opened the fourth quarter on a 7-0 run to cut the lead to 88-76, before a couple of Clarkson buckets steadied the Cavs.

Paced by Clarkson's flamethrowing lead, Cleveland shot 52% from the field and 54% from the three-point line (13-of-24), but it was arguably their defence that was the most impressive part of the night; mainly keeping Hornets point guard Kemba Walker to just seven points on 2-of-16 shooting. Walker was averaging 27.9 points per game heading into the game.

With Kyle Korver (foot), Cedi Osman (back) joining Kevin Love (foot surgery), George Hill (hamstring) and Sam Dekker (ankle) on the injury list, there was plenty of minutes up for grabs and David Nwaba and Collin Sexton took the opportunity with both hands.

Nwaba was everywhere, putting his motor to good use, finishing with 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting in just 26 minutes, while Sexton posted 16 points, four assists and five rebounds.

Rockets find their rhythm in Denver

The Houston Rockets re-discovered their offensive touch in Denver, on their way to a 109-99 win over the Nuggets.

Denver sent plenty of defensive attention Harden's way, keeping him to just three first-half points, but #13 was active moving the ball and finding open shooters, leading Houston into the half-time break down 55-54.

Then the third quarter happened.

After getting his teammates going early, Harden saved his buckets for when the Rockets needed them most. In the third quarter, Denver simply had no answer for Harden, who scored eight points in the period, putting on a passing masterclass as Houston outscored Denver 32-21.

Each time the Nuggets rallied back, it was Harden who had the answers, giving the Rockets an 11-point lead with 4:49 left, after splashing a back-breaking three-pointer. He followed that up with another bucket and set up Clint Capela for a dunk to make it 106-91, with 3:26 left.

Harden finished with 22 points, 11 assists, five rebounds and three steals.

For the Nuggets, Monte Morris led them in scoring with 19 points, while Nikola Jokic added 14 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists, while Jamal Murray and Gary Harris scored 15 each.

Best fantasy performers

James Harden: 22 points (7-of-16 FG), 11 assists, five rebounds and three steals

Clint Capela: 24 points (11-of-15 FG), nine rebounds and two assists

Jeremy Lamb: 22 points (8-of-16 FG), six rebounds, two assists and three steals

Kevin Durant: 29 points (9-of-23 FG), six rebounds, three assists and two steals

Klay Thompson: 24 points (8-of-19 FG), five rebounds, four assists and three steals